USVI-On-Line

Ok, I just looked at the website for Serenity and if it looks anything in person like it does on the site, I would go with it over Catalina. It looks much more spacious and light filled, and has a lot more decking (open and covered) than Catalina did.

It looks like the off season price difference is only about $600. With the Caribbean Villas' 5% add-on to Catalina's price, it's less than that.

Just my $0.02!!!! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions on Catalina.

Kay,
I hope I didn't discourage you about Serenity. It really is a nice place. It looks pretty much exactly like the photos. Feel free to pm me also.

Susan

Kay....here are a few more pics of Time Out Villa for you if you need them.

www.timeoutvilla.com

Good luck & have fun in the planning!

Hi Kay,

Welcome to the forum! As a "St. John newbie" you've already made a great decision: seeking advice from the wealth of wisdom here. I'm always amazed at the quality & depth of the answers I see here; whether practical island-related tips, or even insights into deeper issues that come up from time to time. So, here's my input as well.

First a little background: hubby & I are about the same age as you two--or at least your husband (perhaps he married a 20-year-old?); we've been traveling to St. John for about 17 years now (yup, it was 'love at 1st sight'); we've stayed at a wide variety of condos & villas over the years; and we've booked through a number of different agencies as well as directly through the owners (primarily VRBO & A1vacations).

Second, my response to your 3 original suggestions: we've never stayed at any of these 3 but I looked at their sights & am very familiar with 2 out of the 3 rental agencies. Villa Catalina, personally I reject all villas that have fiberglass pools; I'm sorry but I just don't like them. The 2nd count against it is the rental agency, Caribbean Villas. I have no idea why they charge a 5% service fee, none of the other agencies that I know of do that & I know for a fact that they are already getting a hefty commission off of each booking. Finally our experience with them hasn't been super great; some of their properties are very dated, they have not been that responsive to any problems that have arisen--and we are NOT fussy people--; and when you talk to them on their phone you're talking to an agency in Maine not on-island in St. John. Personally, I like supporting the island because I love it so much.

Now the other 2: Seascape, IMHO, looks a bit dated; however Carefree Getaways I've used several times and they are great people--fun to deal with and responsive to any problems that may arise. Very nice, on-island people who will give you honest assesments of their properties. Serenity looks very nice but is quite a bit pricier than your other 2 properties.

Here's a couple other suggestions for 2 villas that I think meet all of your requirements. Not sure what your budget is because these 2 are in different budget categories, but here goes. Cinnamon Tarn: very nice North Shore property with incredible views, great spacious interior--I really LOVE their showers--and great location (but we like jeeping down the dirt trails & that may not appeal to you). Only downside is no pool, just a giant hot-tub, but depending on when you're going that may be ok.

2nd suggestion is Perelandra: less expensive, with different but still spectacular views--great sunsets & harbor activity & quiet cays settling into the purple dusk-type views. Interior is smaller but nice size bedrooms & nice walk-in showers. Very well-equipped (as is Cinnamon Tarn). Beautiful gardens & pool area and--the best for us--very private yet very close to town & beaches.

Hope this helps!

Regarding Seascape, I hear this house has undergone a complete update. Friends who stayed there in 2001 will be staying there again in two weeks and will maybe provide an update after their trip.
-Ruth

I need to book before this drives me crazy! Wondering about pros/cons of the areas and bug situations. Down to Serenity on Maria Bluff (view,pool), Paloma Blanca on Gift Hill (view,pool,spa) or lastly Mar De Amores, Chocolate Hole (pool, partial sunsets-worried about construction).
Paloma had good review but mentioned it was buggy which I never thought of. Are bugs a big problem in April or any thoughts on Palmoa or driving to the different areas. We'll be renting a jeep.

Kay---I will send you a Private Message ref Mar de Amores.

We stayed at Paloma in May 2005. The view took our breath away when we first saw it! The villa was comfortable and we enjoyed the pool and hot tub. I do not recall it being bugy, but that seems to me to be driven by the weather and I don't know what. We ususally come in May and some years there were bugs and some years there weren't.